36. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Rina
As much as I love Oakley and Willow, and as much as I know this is helping Arlo’s sanity, sitting in a coffee shop all day and not working is going to make me lose it.
I’m ahead with commissions so it’s not like I can’t afford the day off, but just sitting here knowing Arlo is doing God knows what in Rosedale has me on edge. I wish I could do more, honestly, and I feel useless. I hate feeling useless.
“How are you doing, Rina?” Oakley says as he sits next to me, placing a fresh coffee on the tabletop.
I guess that’s the good part of today. Arlo told Oakley to keep the food and drinks coming, and I’m not even pretending to play coy about it.
“Oh, swell,” I snark, then instantly feel bad. It’s not Oakley’s fault I’m bored out of my damn mind. “Sorry, I’m not used to just sitting all day.”
“I get it. You’re used to going non-stop all day, and this is the exact opposite.”
I sigh. “Yeah, I’m not very good at just sitting. Or following directions.” I cringe.
“I’d say you’re doing just fine on that front. Arlo just wants to make sure you aren’t vulnerable. ”
Willow comes to join us, and I look around and see we’re the only ones here.
“Sooooo.” She smirks.
“Ask away, Will. Get it out of your system.” I slump back in my chair, knowing this was coming.
“How long have you been Arlo actually been dating?” She thinks it’s a simple question, but it’s anything but.
“Umm…” I struggle to find an easy answer.
“I’m just giving you shit. I’m not trying to know all the details. If you want to tell me, you will. I have a feeling things between the two of you are still … complicated.” She laughs as Oakley rolls his eyes.
I bark out a laugh. “Understatement of the century.” Is it more or less complicated that we’re technically still married?
“We can go back to your workshop once I close here,” Oakley offers.
“Nah, I’m just calling today a wash. I was actually thinking about how I can help with this whole situation.” Oakley arches an eyebrow at me. “Even with whatever Arlo is doing right now, we don’t have a warrant in order to actually do anything, correct?”
“Correct.”
“So, what if we draw him out? Force Tyler’s hand.”
I see his mind working in front of me. He doesn’t want to like the idea, but he does.
“Arlo will hate it.” I wince at the truth of his statement. I know Arlo will hate it, but sitting here doing nothing isn’t really my style.
“Yep.”
“And you still want to do it?”
“Yep.”
He sighs, and I almost cheer. I have him interested.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Can I chime in and say Arlo will absolutely lose his shit and this is a terrible idea?” Willow asks.
“You just did,” I deadpan.
“I’m just thinking about how I took things into my own hands when… Well, you know, and things did not really go well.” She’s talking about Tennison. When she showed up, saving the day, but it also cost her a lot.
“Why did you go to that cabin?” I ask her.
“Rina…” Oakley scolds.
“No, this is important. I know it’s hard to talk about, but why did you put yourself in danger? Why did you go there?” I ask again.
“Because I needed to do something. I needed to help Oakley. I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing if there was a chance I could help.” Her soft voice, a little shaky, makes me feel bad for forcing the issue.
But her answer is exactly how I’m feeling.
“And look how that turned out!” Oakley’s raised voice echoes through the space.
“Listen, you understand Arlo’s side of this. Willow understands mine. I need to do something, Oakley. Sitting here until the red tape gets figured out isn’t doing me or you both any favors. What if I’m able to expedite things and end this?” I’m trying desperately to plead with his rational brain, but I’m not sure it’s working.
“What if the worst-case scenario happens and you get hurt? I’ll never forgive myself. Arlo will absolutely lose any progress he’s made. As your friend—hell, as his—I’m telling you this is a terrible idea.”
“We don’t even know if it’s actually Tyler. If I draw him out, get more information, we can at least determine if he’s the bad guy.” I throw my hands up in exasperation .
“Jesus fuck, you Hutton women are feisty and stubborn as shit,” he grumbles. Willow beams like it’s the best compliment in the world, and I have to hide my smile behind my hand.
“Does that mean you’ll at least hear me out?”
“Arlo’s going to kill me.”
“I can handle Arlo.”
“Oh, I bet you can,” Willow singsongs before slapping her hand over her mouth. Laughter from everyone breaks the tension.
“Tyler was really upset when we ran into him. I technically ghosted him on our first date, and I think using that is our key. I can call him, apologize for being a bitch and ditching him, and then see if he wants a re-do?”
“I like apologizing but not attempting a re-do. You going out with him will give Arlo an aneurysm, and it puts you in too vulnerable of a position.” Oakley pokes holes in my plan.
“What if we can ensure my safety?”
“And how do we do that?”
“Someone tails us?” I offer. Honestly, I have no idea. This isn’t something I consider doing on an everyday basis, and I have a feeling Arlo and Oakley have better ideas on how to accomplish it. It doesn’t mean I think we need to scratch my whole idea because I intend to do it, regardless of if they help me or not. Things need to change, and if that means taking them into my own hands, so be it.
Oakley looks up to the ceiling.
“I don’t like it, but I understand your reasoning. I would need to include Arlo and probably the Rosedale Police Department.”
“That sounds like it’ll scream ‘set-up’. ”
“You won’t see us—hopefully. But going in there without any form of back-up is out of the question. Arlo will fire me.” He smirks.
“You don’t work for Arlo, so he can’t fire you,” Willow adds, and I’m going to have to build something for her for having my back.
“Whose side are you on, Trouble?”
“Uh, I’m on yours, of course.” The breathiness of Willow’s voice makes me roll my eyes. I don’t want to know any of the kinky shit they get up to.
“Jesus, get a room,” I mutter.
“We have one upstairs,” Oakley says so smoothly as he keeps his eyes on Willow. “Shit, sorry.” He has the decency to look embarrassed.
“Yep, we’re never speaking of this again. So, I’m going to go call Tyler, and you can fill Arlo in on whatever you need to.” I stand up and go to the opposite corner, using the distraction to my advantage. They can keep making googly eyes at each other while I get shit done.
I pull up the number after searching for a second and hold my breath as it rings.
“Rina?” Tyler answers on the second ring, with hope in his voice. He doesn’t sound like the asshole he was at the bistro, and it throws me a little. I was prepared for hostility, and this is anything but. I hear Oakley attempting to stop me in the background, but Willow somehow stops him. I’m too focused on my phone call to see what’s going on behind me.
“Hey, Tyler, I’m glad you picked up. I wanted to call and apologize for ghosting you on our date. That was an asshole move, and I’d like to make it up to you if I can.” Shit, that wording is going to send mixed signals, but it’s too late to take it back.
“You want to apologize? ”
“I do.” I leave it at that, hoping he takes the lead from here. This is already not where I thought the conversation would go, so maybe it’s better to be on the defensive.
“Did that guy you were with do something? Did he put you up to leaving me?” His eager tone is confusing. He sounds like a teen hoping to get praise from his crush. It worries more than I’m willing to let on.
“He’s…” I contemplate what to say. “Not in the picture anymore.” The words, although what Tyler needs to hear, physically hurt to say. Arlo will always be in the picture, and even if it’s a lie, it feels like a betrayal to say.
Silence greets my ear right as Oakley enters my line of sight and sits down opposite me. I arch my eyebrow at him as he mimes zipping his lips shut, letting me know he’ll be quiet.
“Meet me Saturday for dinner. At the steakhouse.” Tyler’s demands refocus my attention, and I wince at what he said. I know I had this idea, but I wasn’t fully committed to actually seeing him again.
“Umm.”
“Make it up to me, Rina. Dinner, that’s all I’m asking.” I want to tell him he’s not asking at all, but I have a feeling invoking his ire isn’t a great option for me.
Oakley subtly shakes his head, apparently close enough to hear Tyler’s side of the conversation.
“Saturday. I’ll meet you,” I say reluctantly, and instant regret laces my decision.
“You won’t regret it. I can’t wait until you’re mine again.” Then he hangs up.
My blood turns cold and drains from my face. If we weren’t sure before, I am now .
“What the fuck, Rina?” Oakley whispers.
“I-I— Fuck, what did I just do?” I whimper as tears flood my eyes.
“What did he say at the end?” Oakley’s voice is calm, but when I look up at him, I can see the panic just below the surface.
“He said ‘I can’t wait until you’re mine again.’”
“Fuck, I need to call Arlo.” Oakley stands up and starts pacing, but the front door opens as he does.
The bell dings, and we turn to see who it is. When Arlo stops dead in his tracks, I close my eyes and realize trying to play hero was the wrong move. There’s nothing to do about it now, though, because knowing Tyler is my stalker means I want him caught yesterday. And this is the easiest way to do it.
“What happened?” he asks, looking between Willow, Oakley, and me.
Oakley turns his eyes toward me as if to say, This is your plan; you tell him, and even though he’s right, I make a vow to never build him a piece of furniture for Grind Time for him throwing me under the bus.
“I called Tyler.”